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July 7 this year will be a huge day for lottery players. 7-7-7 is already the most popular number played in some lotteries.

The Reading (Pa.) Eagle says wedding planners, among others, are noticing a lot of interest in the date. In fact, some are saying it will be the most popular wedding date of the year because "7" is commonly believed to be a lucky number. The paper says:

Newlyweds aren't the only ones in seventh heaven about the date.

Scientists, historians, mathematicians, theologians, philosophers and gamblers can't all be wrong.

Everyone seems in agreement that there's something magnificent about the number seven.

Let's see, there's the Seven Wonders of the World, the Seven Hills of Rome, the Seven Seas, seven deadly sins, seven virtues and lucky seven.

July 7 is the rumored release date of the seventh and last book in the Harry Potter series.

Add to that the fact that the "New Seven Wonders of the World" will be revealed on July 7 in a ceremony in Portugal, the Tour de France will start that day and the host city of the 2014 Olympics will be selected that day.

Wedding planner Heather E. Pasko said brides-to-be have told her they like 7/7/07 in part because, if nothing else, they think it will help their future husbands remember their anniversary.

Husbands like it because they think it's a lucky number.

"Couples do all sorts of things to make sure they have good luck on their wedding day," Pasko said. "I had one (bride) that insisted in walking in a certain pattern and starting left foot first in her procession."

Fire Buffs

Al's Morning Meeting reader and frequent contributor Jim Sweeney at Government Computer News passed along this story from The Washington Post. The paper followed local "fire buffs," who serve firefighters refreshments and food at big fire scenes. There is no doubt many of you have local fire-buff groups that you could also profile.

Here are some pages that give you examples:

• Shreveport, La., Fire Buffs
• International Fire Buffs
  
• Boston Fire Buffs
• Dallas Fire Buffs

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Influential Christians

ChurchReport.com has a list of "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America." Joel Osteen, the pastor of a Houston mega-church, tops the list, followed by Rev. Billy Graham. Graham's son ranked 14th on the list.

President George Bush came in 11th.

Rick Warren, who sold 19 million copies of his book "The Purpose-Driven Life," curiously only ranks 16th. It might be worth a look to see who, from your area, made the list.

I am surprised that Max Lucado, a well-known author, is only ranked 33rd. The highest-ranked woman is Joyce Meyer.

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Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The column is fact-checked, but depends upon the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. Errors and inaccuracies found will be corrected.

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